By Katherine Tinsley
2:37pm PDT, Aug 16, 2025
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The royal family is known for their strict rules and love of tradition, and while
Prince William and
Kate Middleton are often seen as the future of the crown, the duo still frequently adheres to the status quo — especially where appearances are concerned.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about the royal dress code…
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No short skirts
Royal women are expected to avoid short hemlines. "It's all about being modest, elegant and not risking a scandal or causing a media fuss," etiquette expert
Laura Windsor told
L'Officiel, adding that "royal ladies are expected to wear knee-length or longer." While
Meghan Markle built a successful television career before marrying into the royal family, her wardrobe evolved with her role as a duchess. She hasn't been seen in a miniskirt in years!
No facial hair for official engagements
Prince Harry revealed in his memoir
Spare that his decision to keep his beard when he
married Meghan Markle in 2018 created tension with Prince William because the Prince of Wales was required to shave for
his wedding. "[
Queen Elizabeth II] doesn't mind royal men growing beards when they are away in the armed forces or out in the wilds, like Harry was in the Antarctic, but she expects them to be clean-shaven when they get home,"
Honey Nine reported.
Only color for the queen
Meghan Markle revealed she felt pressured to wear neutral colors to avoid drawing attention away from her famous in-laws including Queen Elizabeth II, who often sported loud looks. "Most of the time that I was in the U.K., I rarely wore color," the Duchess of Sussex said on her Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan. "To my understanding, you could never wear the same color as Her Majesty if there's a group event, but then you also shouldn't be wearing the same color as one of the other more senior members of the family."
Hands off
Queen Elizabeth II often wore gloves, but Marie Claire reported the queen would require gloves to be removed during meals.
Natural beauty
Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and
Princess Diana have all been celebrated for their natural beauty, enhanced by naturalistic makeup. "The royals have to look modern but not overdone so that the public favors them,"
The Royal Observer reported. "They expect them to look elegant and lady-like, not like someone trying to follow the latest fashion trends."
